Phlebodium aureum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad and diverse geographical distribution across several tropical and subtropical regions. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found growing in both the Canary Islands and Madeira. Its range extends significantly into Southern Africa, where it inhabits the Cape Provinces and the KwaZulu-Natal region. Additionally, the species is documented within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in India. These varied locations highlight its ability to thrive in distinct maritime and continental environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phlebodium aureum is characterized by a diverse range of environmental settings, spanning an elevational range from 0 to 2000 m AMSL. It thrives within various specialized ecosystems, including Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista. This wide distribution across different forest types and successional stages allows the species to inhabit a variety of microclimates and moisture regimes.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Phlebodium aureum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it maintains a stable presence within its ecological niche, often establishing itself on rocky substrates or tree trunks where it can undergo continuous growth cycles. Its development involves the gradual expansion of its rhizomatous structure, which serves as the central axis for its life cycle, enabling the plant to store nutrients and survive periods of environmental fluctuation. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can repeatedly produce its distinctive, leathery fronds, contributing to its long-term survival and ability to occupy stable habitats over time.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phlebodium aureum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, typically functioning as a self-supporting plant. It exhibits a terrestrial habit, existing as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant's physical structure features shoots that vary in length, with minimum measurements of 30 cm and maximum reaches of up to 80 cm. In terms of overall stature, the plant reaches an average height of approximately 1 m. While it can be found in terrestrial environments, it does not exhibit aquatic or specialized epiphytic qualities such as hemi-epiphytism, maintaining a self-supporting and non-climbing structural integrity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1 m

Shoot length max:

80 cm

Shoot length min:

30 cm

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phlebodium aureum is characterized by distinct morphological dimensions and metabolic processes, specifically regarding its leaf structure and nutrient acquisition. The foliage exhibits an elliptic leaf form, with individual leaves reaching a maximum length of 40 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is variable, ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 40 cm. Regarding its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from its substrate or environment rather than through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf width max:

40 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Phlebodium aureum is primarily achieved through a specialized asexual process involving spores rather than traditional seeds, as is characteristic of ferns. The reproductive cycle is heavily influenced by seasonal rhythms, with the peak period for reproductive activity occurring during the warmer months. Specifically, the flowering or spore-bearing phase is most active between April and August, although the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. While the reproductive window is most prominent during this timeframe, the potential for reproductive activity spans a wide range of months, including January, February, March, May, June, July, September, October, November, and December, making the exact onset and conclusion of the cycle highly dependent on local climatic variables.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phlebodium aureum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ECDYSONE, Ecdysterone.

ECDYSONE

1. Dr. Duke

Ecdysterone

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Phlebodium aureum has 5 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antigonadotrophic, Juvabional, Pesticide, Proteinogenic.

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Antigonadotrophic

1. Dr. Duke

Juvabional

1. Dr. Duke

Pesticide

1. Dr. Duke

Proteinogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Phlebodium aureum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Vitiligo.

Vitiligo

1. Planta medica